Monthly Archives: February 2014

We’re getting closer to performance and it’s the perfect time to release some new promotional photos for our upcoming performance of The Killing Swamp.

Written by Ojo Onukaba and directed by Williams Obasi, The Killing Swamp is an imaginative re-telling of the last hours of Nigerian icon Kenule Saro Wiwa. The play was shortlisted in the 2010 NLNG Prize for Literature.

Ahead of our upcoming performance of Ojo Onukaba’s The Killing Swamp, we are happy to release the first promotional photos from director Williams Obasi’s production. Check ’em out and be on the lookout for more.

African Renaissance Theatre (A.R.T) presents a riveting stage performance of: The Killing Swamp, written by Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba and directed by Williams Obasi. Set to hit the stage in Abuja is an intriguing creative interpretation of the most unforgettable moment in the life of a Nigerian icon.

ABOUT THE PLAY
Set in a clearing behind a prison in Port Hacourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, The Killing Swamp is an imaginative retelling of the final hours of Kenule Saro Wiwa – a visionary activist who ardently fought against the plundering of his people’s lives by a corrupt government and oil-exploring multinational companies. Sentenced to death on November 10, 1995, alongside eight colleagues, for the killing of four pro-government chiefs, Kenule must find the will to face death with the same courage with which he has life. But, even in death, life holds one more secret for Kenule. One more controversy. One more mystery, the unravelling of which could shatter his final passing from earth. The Killing Swamp was shortlisted for the 2010 LNG prize for literature.

ABOUT A.R.T African Renaissance Theatre & Entertainment (A.R.T) is a new age performance arts movement coming to the world from Nigeria, West Africa. Born out of deep love, respect and undying passion for creative excellence, this eclectic-electric arts movement is laid upon the foundation of a simple idea: that this generation of young Africans can come together with diversity of talents, knowledge and skill to create things profound; things as socally productive as they are artistically divine.

It is that simple, so start voting now to see your favorites win.
Voting closes on the 28th of March 2014.
Multiple vote is allowed. the more you vote the better their chances to win.
Vote and get an opportunity to attend the event.

She conceived great men on different soils with the image of mind sturdy.
They came as individuals with love, on the field of crucial race, driven by ardor: strung out in pursuance of the herculean task weighing checks and balances.

They came on varied days; yet embraces same route from different paths.
Oh no!
“Come over here and wipe your tears because:
‘GHANDI’ Is enroute to New Delhi!
I can perceive the fragrance of his foot prints from here.
Yes!
His echoes heals the broken hearted with confident satyagraha.”

On the soil of the apartheid spleen roars an assemblage who calls LUTHER!
The dreamer that roars change with a stentorian admiration beyond decibels:
“I have a dream!
Where the oppressed children will be among the ruling parties someday.
Yes!
I must achieve this or set the ball rolling because: non violence is a way of life for courageous people.
Oh yes!
I am on the white soil that unifies states with acronym; I was instigated by passion to be enroute to forward ever with the docket of equality!”

These heroes understood their quest from the onset: building bridges for the generations on and on!
Regardless of the fact that it might cost their lives, yet are they tirelessly dogged to exhume the dignity of equality in certainty.

On this non violence had they emerged from different soils, speaking unification with different tones.
The laughter in this pain gets boosted by the pacifism of the unabashed attribute of these change seekers; clamoring:
“Our names soars beyond boarders in recognition, but that is not our nub.
We solely wish to pursue, overtake and recover change!”

When two bowed to rigor mortis on recumbent: their voice still echoes from the pacific camp, knowing that ‘One’ stands visibly on shaky grounds; commanding the attention of dignity from achievements in the field of victory, legacy and pace setting.

“Look here! ‘Mandela’ stands on the visible path of change laughing onward to fulfillment with the attention of remedy specialties as ‘The Global’ views on bended knees with good wishes towards the south side of Africa.”

Oh no!
The star has fallen: the cloud is dim!
Blubber twists the mood of nations.
Weeping saturates the gaze of loved ones.
What a day of ‘fifth’ when December sings at the time of CAT on 20:50 in the midst of 2013:
“Tata Madiba!
The last of his kind has fallen.
Rolinhlanhla!
The unforgettable hero lives on!”

As the wind blows the echoes, voicing vociferates:
“Our course enjoys relaxation in victory, but our names enjoys a dignified reservations of presence on after-math; because our names awakes the significant of good works to scoop out the reserve we preserved in dignity.”

The record of the race gave account that these Social Prestige came from different race with one voice, speaking in unism:
“freedom from segregation!
The oppressed must be free!
Equality, equality!
Egalitarian must emerge.”